Any chance AH could field a competent army by 1914?

[apecallum]

Any chance AH could field a competent army by 1914? If so, what are the resulting consequences for WWI?

As a sidenote, does Austria have the most pathetic military record of any major nation in history?

[loughery111]

Originally Posted by apecallum

Any chance AH could field a competent army by 1914? If so, what are the resulting consequences for WWI?

As a sidenote, does Austria have the most pathetic military record of any major nation in history?

Um... did you forget the whole history of Austria and Hungary until the late 1800's? It's like saying France has the worst military record in history; you're ignoring everything before 1871 to say that.

[apecallum]

Originally Posted by loughery111

Um... did you forget the whole history of Austria and Hungary until the late 1800's? It's like saying France has the worst military record in history; you're ignoring everything before 1871 to say that.

No I actually had the 18th and the first half of the 19th centuries in mind when I asked the question, particularly so the drubbings Austria received at the hands of the French and Prussians.

Napoleon himself said it best when replying to an Austrian diplomat's demands "Your empire is nothing but an old maid servant accustomed to being raped by everyone".

[loughery111]

Originally Posted by apecallum

No I actually had the 18th and the first half of the 19th centuries in mind when I asked the question, particularly so the drubbings Austria received at the hands of the French and Prussians.

Napoleon himself said it best when replying to an Austrian diplomat's demands "Your empire is like an old maid servant, accustomed to being raped by everyone".

Eh, it was always a ramshackle edifice politically, but the only times I recall it being utterly trounced before the middle of the 19th century were by the Prussians and the French (who also shattered the Prussians), and they recovered to the point where they were able to join the offensive and gain a place at the peace talks by the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Besides, up until then, they'd been warring with the Turks, and doing pretty damned well for themselves, for centuries.

[apecallum]

Originally Posted by loughery111

Eh, it was always a ramshackle edifice politically, but the only times I recall it being utterly trounced before the middle of the 19th century were by the Prussians and the French (who also shattered the Prussians), and they recovered to the point where they were able to join the offensive and gain a place at the peace talks by the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Besides, up until then, they'd been warring with the Turks, and doing pretty damned well for themselves, for centuries.

There is truth in what you say but in both instances the Austrians had to rely upon other powers to bail them out when the going got rough, Brits/Prussians/Russians etc in the Napoleonic Wars, Poles in 1683.

Regardless, what do you think about my first question?

[David S Poepoe]

Originally Posted by apecallum

As a sidenote, does Austria have the most pathetic military record of any major nation in history?

No, the Italian Army, from Unification to World War 2. Perhaps one could throw in Piedmont involvement in the Crimean War.